What's the Difference: Botox vs Filler?
Originally published on Dabble + Co
Hey! Whatcha got in that needle? Do you think you might be ready for injectables, but don’t know where to start? Whether it’s a stubborn wrinkle or thin lips, an injectable might be what you’re looking for! But which one? Molly Sipp, NP, an injector with FAB Atlanta is here to share the basics about toxins and fillers. Learn more so you can take this big step with confidence!
Do you think you might be ready for injectables, but you just don’t know where to start? Maybe you’ve got a few wrinkles that you’re not exactly ready to embrace. Or it might be that you miss those full lips you had back in your 20’s. Whatever your reason, you want more knowledge about how injectables work to enhance your look. Do you need toxins or fillers? Where does it go? How does it work? This is a big step, and you want to make sure you get it right. I have good news. Help is here! Let’s talk about some of the differences and similarities between toxin and filler. The more you know, the more confident you’ll be about your decision!
Let’s start with toxins because that’s where most new patients take the plunge into injectables. “Toxin” is short for “neurotoxin.” Botox is probably the most well-known neurotoxin, but there are several others on the market (Dysport, Jeuveau, Xeomin, to name a few). While there are small differences between the brands, they all generally work the same way. Toxins work by blocking the transmission of information from your nerves to a targeted muscle, which relaxes the treatment area and smoothes the skin. A toxin is a very effective way to treat wrinkles that result from repeated movement. Some of the most common areas treated with toxin are horizontal forehead lines, “crow’s feet” (the lines that extend away from the corners of your eyes when you squint or smile big), and “11’s” (the vertical lines that appear between your eyebrows when you frown or concentrate). A toxin is most commonly used to treat wrinkles in the upper part of the face, but that’s not a hard and fast rule. For instance, we’ll sometimes use toxin to relax some of the muscles that are causing fine lines around the lips.
A toxin is a relatively easy, low-risk way to obtain significant improvement in the appearance of wrinkles. Results are quick, but not immediate. It can take up to two weeks to see the full effect. Pain and recovery time are minimal, if any. I tell my patients to be prepared for pinprick bruising, but often there are no adverse signs of treatment. In rare instances, toxin can give unexpected results, such as an eyelid droop or a “heavy” brow. It depends on the patient, but toxin generally wears off after about 3-4 months.
Now let’s talk about filler. Its name says it all! Filler is used when we need to fill an area of your face. That may be a wrinkle or an area that just needs more volume. Often we use filler to add volume to one area of the face that, in turn, smoothes wrinkles in another area. For example, adding volume to the cheekbone area can help smooth smile lines. Filler is used to plump lips and soften deep nasolabial folds (the vertical lines that run between the nose and the corners of the mouth). It can be used to create a straighter, more defined jawline or chin. Filler can even be used to straighten or improve the symmetry of a nose!
Filler is typically made from hyaluronic acid, a substance that is naturally produced by your body. Like toxin, filler can go by several different names. Juvederm and Restylane are probably the most popular names for filler. Even though they all do basically the same thing, you need different fillers for different jobs. Visualize filler as a gel-like substance. That gel could have the consistency of Jell-O, honey, and everything in between! An experienced injector will know which formulation is best for your treatment. For example: one type of filler might be better suited for the movement of lips, while another is better for the stability of your cheeks.
Filler provides patients with immediate results. While it may take several weeks for filler to finally settle, what you see at your office visit is very close to your final result. It depends on the patient and the treatment, but pain and recovery time will likely be greater than a toxin procedure. Moderate bruising and swelling should be expected, so don’t schedule any social events near a filler appointment! Filler injections are deeper than toxin, so there will be soreness both at the time of the injection and for a day or two afterward. We’ll give you numbing cream before injecting filler, which is a big help! For best results, you should ice the area to reduce pain and swelling. You can also take acetaminophen as needed afterward, but avoid ibuprofen before and after!
Filler is more work for patient and injector, but it pays off. The results are almost always worth it and will last up to a year. Sometimes even longer! In the event that your results aren’t what you were looking for, filler can be dissolved in a separate procedure.
There is a lot to know about toxin and filler. We’ve really only scratched the surface here! At the end of the day, the key to achieving good results from any cosmetic injectable is working with an injector you trust and being clear about your expectations. A good injector will always listen to your concerns, answer all your questions, and make recommendations based on the information you’ve given and their knowledge of the procedures. Now that you’re armed with this basic knowledge, you’re ready to work with a great injector who will help you put your best face forward!